Sullinger was not able to do much as far as conditioning last offseason as the back healed and he has not been in tip-top shape this season.

“I think it’s mostly about conditioning,’’ said coach Brad Stevens. “It’s mostly about playing longer stretches as efficient as possible.

“For a young guy in his second year, he’s had a lot of great moments. The focus will be on advancing the number of times that you have those moments.’’

Sullinger took over for the Celtics when Rajon Rondo (15 assists) went to the locker room for nine stitches between his eyes with 6:19 to go in the third quarter. He returned with 8:05 to play wearing a bandage and tried to lend a hand in the comeback.

“It was just the adrenaline going,’’ said Rondo, who was hit by an elbow. “I just wanted to play. I knew I could. I didn’t feel like I had a concussion. Thy asked me a couple of questions and that was about it.’’

Said Sullinger: “I saw that Rondo went down and I saw that we needed some production and I just took it upon myself and tried to get the best shots possible.

“We needed somebody to bring a different type of energy. He had energy all night and was doing all the right things and it was time for somebody else to step it up. When he came back on the floor I just felt we were going to make a run.’’

Sullinger threw a scare into the Raptors, finding the range after being 6-for-32 from 3-point distance this month.

“I still think, and maybe this is why I’m not as much an analytics guy as everyone portrays me to be, I still believe in him shooting,’’ said Stevens. “I’ve seen him shoot. I believe in his form. I believe in how much he shoots.

“It doesn’t mean that he shouldn’t when he’s not making them, he shouldn’t find other options and alternatives. But 4-for-6 gave us a chance tonight.’’

Jim Fenton may be reached at jfenton@enterprisenews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JFenton_ent.